Survey Finds Many Over 45 Happy With Their Sex Life

August 04, 1999|By Kevin Harris, Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service.

WASHINGTON — Sex is an important and satisfying element in the lives of a majority of middle-age and senior Americans, according to a new study sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons.

The report, released Tuesday, shows that more than half of those polled are extremely or somewhat satisfied with their sex lives.

Cutting against often-held assumptions, the number of people who viewed their partners as romantic or physically attractive does not decline with age, the study indicates. Six in 10 men ages 45 to 59 gave their partners the highest possible ratings for being physically attractive. By age 75, that number rose to 64 percent.

Among women, 52 percent in their 40s and 50s gave their partners the highest possible rating; 57 percent of those 75 and older gave the same response.

Some 29 percent of the women ages 45 to 59 said their partners were romantic, and that jumped to 53 percent for those 75 and older. Among men, 37 percent of those in the younger group and 42 percent of those 75 and older called their partners romantic.

"What we found out with this study is that yes, there is a sex life after 45 and that the graying of the Boomer generation is having an enormous impact on how society thinks, feels and acts in the bedroom," said Hugh Delehanty, editor of Modern Maturity magazine, which sponsored the study.

The survey revealed a generation gap in sexual attitudes between midlife women, those 45 to 59, and women over 75.

Only 36 percent of the younger group think "people should not have a sexual relationship if they are not married," while 66 percent of women 75 and older believe it is wrong.

Older women are far less likely to be sexually active than older men. Only 21 percent of women 75 and older have partners, compared with 58 percent of men in the same age group.

Steve Brody, co-author of the book "Renew Your Marriage at Midlife," says studies such as this are important because they help break down stereotypes.

"No action (no sex) often follows belief," he said. "People are then more likely to step into an asexual relationship when they become older. Young people have a tendency of believing their parents are not having sex, when in fact we are . . ."

When it comes to sexual activity, the study indicates that Viagra and other treatments designed to enhance sexual performance haven't changed life that much. Among men, 33 percent reported having sex once a week or more after using the drug or treatment, compared with 25 percent reporting the same frequency of sexual intercourse before treatment.

But about 60 percent of those using Viagra and other treatments said their satisfaction with their sex lives was enhanced.

More than 6 in 10 men age 45 to 59 and women age 45 to 54 report they engage in sexual intercourse once a week or more, as do more than 1 in 4 of those 75 and older.

According to the study, relationships are even more important than sexual activity for most partners, regardless of age. Some 92 percent of men and 87 percent of women say a good relationship with a spouse or partner is important to their quality of life.

Reported sexual activity declines with age for men and women, as health declines and many lose their partners.

Declining health also affects sexual activity and sexual satisfaction as people age, and the survey shows that substantial numbers are not being treated for some ailments that may be affecting their sex lives. More than half of those who report no major disease or depression say they engage in sexual intercourse at least once a week, compared with around 3 in 10 of those with depression or some other major disease.

The survey was conducted by mail in March 1999, with 1,384 adults 45 and older questioned.